Branch update

Last week’s branch meeting was a multi-faceted one, with hive inspections, information exchange, sales, and demonstration + advice for honey creaming. It was also a time for congratulations, as Diane, Ian, Maggy, Sally and Sandy have all passed their Basic Assessment, taken last month. We’re going to have so many knowledgeable beekeepers around if we go on like this… 🙂

Inspections of the branch hives went smoothly, with some newcomers getting their first experience of how a hive full of honeybees looks inside. Julie’s demonstration of honey extraction and how to make ‘creamed honey’ was well received, with many members interested in the process.

Looking forward to the autumn, there will be not only our own honey show to prepare for but also the giant National Honey Show (http://www.honeyshow.co.uk/). Julie will be circulating some more information and tips about this in her next Newsletter, so look out for that soon. There is also the Kent Festival of Bees, at the end of this month, at which our branch will have a stall.